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Entry Level Data Engineering Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

SZNS Solutions

Software Engineer

Reston, VA

... data engineering, blockchain, and cloud-native software application development. We are looking for an Entry-Level Software Engineer to join our growing team! As a member of our dynamic and fast ...

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Entry Level Data Engineering information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$11

$20

$32

How much do entry level data engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level data engineering in Silver Spring, MD is $20.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.88 and $22.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced data engineers working in senior or specialized roles at large tech companies or financial institutions can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Such compensation typically requires advanced skills in cloud platforms, big data tools, and extensive industry experience. These roles are rare and usually involve leadership responsibilities or niche expertise.

Is AI replacing data engineers?

AI is automating certain tasks within data engineering, such as data cleaning and pipeline management, but it does not replace the need for data engineers. Data engineers are essential for designing, building, and maintaining data infrastructure, and their skills in programming, database management, and system architecture remain in high demand. AI tools serve as complements that enhance efficiency rather than substitutes for the core responsibilities of data engineers.

What is an Entry Level Data Engineering job?

An Entry Level Data Engineering job involves designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines that collect, process, and store data for analysis. Professionals in this role work with databases, ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, and cloud platforms to ensure data is accessible and reliable. They often collaborate with data analysts and scientists to support business intelligence and machine learning initiatives. Common skills include SQL, Python, and experience with big data tools like Apache Spark or AWS. This role serves as a foundation for more advanced data engineering positions.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on as an Entry Level Data Engineer?

As an Entry Level Data Engineer, you will typically assist with building data pipelines, cleaning and preparing data for analysis, and supporting the migration of data into cloud or on-premises data warehouses. Your daily tasks may include collaborating with data analysts, troubleshooting data quality issues, and learning to automate data flow processes. You’ll often work alongside more senior engineers, gaining exposure to real-world datasets and the software engineering practices that keep data infrastructure running smoothly. This hands-on experience offers a solid foundation for advanced data engineering roles as your career progresses.

Can I get a data engineer job with no experience?

Entry level data engineering roles typically require some knowledge of programming languages like Python or SQL, as well as familiarity with data storage and processing tools such as Hadoop or Spark. While prior experience is often preferred, candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or strong technical skills can sometimes qualify for entry-level positions. Building a solid foundation in data concepts and gaining hands-on experience can improve chances of securing such roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Entry Level Data Engineering position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Data Engineer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages like Python or SQL, basic data modeling, and a relevant degree such as computer science or information technology. Familiarity with ETL tools, cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, and introductory certifications in big data technologies can be advantageous. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills are valuable soft skills for this role. These competencies enable you to process and manage large data sets accurately, collaborate with teams, and support data-driven decision-making.

Is data engineering an entry level job?

Data engineering can be an entry level role, especially for those with foundational skills in programming, databases, and cloud platforms. However, many positions require some experience with data pipelines, scripting, and tools like SQL, Python, or Spark, so entry-level candidates should focus on developing these skills and relevant certifications.
What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineering jobs in Silver Spring, MD? The most popular types of Data Engineering jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
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What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Entry Level Data Engineering jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Entry Level Data Engineering job openings:
Entry Level Data Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Data Engineering job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 32% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,520 per year, or $20.9 per hour.
Data Scientist - Multiple Levels (TS/SCI with Poly Required)

Data Scientist - Multiple Levels (TS/SCI with Poly Required)

Red Alpha

Columbia, MD

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

A little about us:
The Red Alpha Data Science practice grew out of Red Alpha's reputation in Software and System Engineering with our Department of Defense clients. As sometimes happens, customers who trust our expertise in adjacent areas asked Red Alpha to assist with some of their burgeoning Data Science problems.

Culturally, it probably suffices to say that we take our work seriously, but not ourselves. Our leaders have spent time in the trenches and have cursed daylight savings time changes and trailing whitespace as many times as you have. We like to say that we spend 80% of our time cleaning the data...and 20% of our time complaining about cleaning the data. Joking aside, our voices matter, and it is easy to see how our decisions affect the Data Science practice and Red Alpha as a whole. We have a clear vision of where we are headed.     

Our team takes a pragmatic approach to Data Science, defining it loosely as the intersection of technical expertise, business acumen, and soft skills to solve business problems with data. We spend a lot of time trying to understand the problem before we set about building a solution, and we prefer lower tech useful solutions over shiny algorithms and dust on the shelf. Did we mention we’re pragmatic? We have a diverse set of skills across our team, and whether you are a traditional Data Scientist (whatever that means…), an Applied Research Mathematician, a Database Engineer, a Full Stack Developer, or something else in that neighborhood, if you have a knack for picking apart data to make sense of it, we would enjoy having a conversation with you.     

A day in the life:
You’ll likely start your day at a customer location near our Red Alpha offices, checking to see if there are any important items that have just come up. If not, you’ll move on to improving a dashboard or other data product that you’re responsible for, or perhaps produce a weekly output the customer is expecting. You’ll be using R or Python a lot, but also Git, Mongo, some commercial software and several other usual suspects. Once a week you’ll attend a team meeting (with 4 others) to prioritize things, and you’ll have a lot of interaction with the team otherwise, typically several times per day. You’ll need your sense of humor and need to be willing to leave your ego at the door.     
     
What you bring to the table:
Now on to the fun of formal requirements - we have to apologize in advance for the corporate-speak here, but just hold your breath for a few lines and everything will be okay. We are actively hiring data professionals for roles across a broad range of skill levels and projects. Our goal is to find the best fit for you so please note that if you apply to one of them and we see a fit elsewhere we will let you know. So do not worry about applying initially for every position you might be interested in.
All of our data scientists need the following skills:     
  • Proficiency with a scripting language such as R or Python
  • Experience with data science techniques and algorithms such as classification, clustering, random forests, deterministic forests (jk), hierarchical modeling, deep learning, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, and others. Note that you do not need to have all of these (we hope you enjoyed our random smattering of techniques…!) but you should be comfortable and capable with several of them and know some others not on this list.
  • A B.S. Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Computer Science or related field.
  • For entry-level data scientists, 0-3 years of experience on Data Science projects.
  • For mid-level data scientists, 3-6 years of experience on Data Science projects.
  • For senior-level data scientists, at least 6 years of experience on Data Science projects with at least 3 years of experience managing teams.
  • A TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance.
These are important skills to have, but not necessarily mandatory:     
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills. You know, as in you might not be at the top of the list to be a game show host but you do like people and enjoy solving problems jointly with your colleagues.
  • Experience with Java, C, or other compiled languages
  • Comprehensive knowledge of Saturday Night Live sketches (just kidding)
  • Experience with SQL/NoSQL, Spark, Hadoop
  • Familiarity with Javascript and Scripting
  • Familiarity with Docker, GitLab, and React

The total package:
 
Our total compensation package was strategically designed with our members in mind with the intention to: reward our members for their hard work and commitment to our customers' missions; allow members to share in Red Alpha's success as we continue to grow and expand our footprint; provide long-term career opportunities through stability and internal mobility; and provide the resources our members need to support themselves and their dependents in the form of a robust benefits package.  Our total compensation package includes a competitive base salary and benefits such as health, life/disability, 401k, paid time off, professional development, and generous bonus programs.  Please visit our benefits tab for additional information. 
 
Salary Range:   
  • Disclosed pay ranges are a general guideline, and are not a guarantee of a final salary or compensation.  Our approach in determining final salaries takes into consideration a number of factors such as education, certifications, total years of relevant professional experience, actual level of expertise, and the responsibilities of the role itself. 
  • Based on the outlined roles, responsibilities, and requirements, the  projected pay range for these positions are:
    • Entry-level:  $95,000 - $135,000
    • Mid-level: $110,000 - $155,000 
    • Senior-level:  $135,000 - $235,000
Some of our additional perks and benefits include:                 
  • Retire sooner than planned: Get closer to retirement with up to 10% in 401k contributions, immediately vested. 
  • Have a career AND a life: Enjoy up to 5 weeks of leave (25 days of personal time off) and 11 paid floating holidays.
  • Stay at your best: As a member, we'll pay 100% of your premiums for comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. We'll also pay the majority of the premiums for your family.  Let's not forge free access to a fully equipped state of the art gym!
  • Keep current on new technologies and technological advancements:  $5250 per year towards ongoing education, trainings, certifications, and maintaining professional memberships. 
  • Dress in style:  Spend up to $300 per year on company branded merchandise featuring top quality brands such as Under Armour, Nike, Carhartt, YETI, etc.
  • Enjoy the culture:  Attend fun company events throughout the year such as our Oktoberfest, summer picnic, and annual holiday party!  These are all in additon to your team events which may include happy hours, baseball games, snowboarding, RenFest, and more!
 
Every day, our elite customers are pushing through "the grind" to defeat the enemy, even putting their lives on the line for our freedom. Rise to the occasion with us to deliver engineering excellence, to match their dedication to this nation. Join us as we bring digital transformation to the fight! 

     

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